Israeli occupation forces arrested Journalist, human rights defender and Addameer Media Coordinator Hasan Safadi while he was crossing Al Karameh Bridge on 01/05/2016, where he was on his way home back from an Arab Youth Conference in Tunisia, which tackled various human rights and social issues in the region.

During interrogation, Hasan Safadi was subjected to sleep deprivation, long interrogation sessions, being placed into stress positions with hands tied throughout the interrogation, threats, shouting, and lack of adequate food. Additionally, he was denied access to an attorney for 10 days (12 – 22 May 2016) as well as family visitation.

Occupation authorities issued a gag order against the case of Safadi and conducted closed hearing sessions. The prosecution inflated accusations against Safadi, despite the fact that it was evident there was no adequate evidence to keep him detained.

Safadi was set to be released on 10 June 2016 based on a decision from the Magistrate Court in Jerusalem, on a bail of 2500 NIS and third-party guarantees. Later on the same day, Israeli Minister Avigdor Lieberman signed a 6-month administrative detention order against Safadi, which effectively overrode the court’s decision for his release.

The public prosecution claimed that Safadi is affiliated with an illegal organization and has visited an enemy state (Lebanon) more than one time. It also claimed that he has illegal activities without specifying the details of these activities, in addition to claiming that he is affiliated with other detainees without identifying the names of these detainees.

Safadi was initially ordered to six months detention without charge or trial on 10 June 2016, and the order was set to end on 8 December 2016. However, the order was renewed for an additional six months (ending on 08 June 2017).

On 8 June 2017, occupation authorities renewed Safadi's detention for an additional 6 months for the second time. The new order is from 09 June - 08 December 2017.

We strongly urge you to take an immediate action against continued detention of Safadi, which is part of the continued attack on Palestinian journalists and media activists, some of whom are held under administrative detention without charge or trial. We urge international action to pressure Israel to release Hasan Safadi, who is being held as a political hostage by the Israeli government.